Track of The Day: Tasman Keith “Divided” (2018)

Tasman Keith is using his hip hop platform to raise awareness for more than just the stereotypical “sex, drugs and money” mantra that contemporary hip hop often flaunts. His previous single “My Pelopolees” was a harsh, fast paced rap held together with a strong beat. His most recent single, “Divided”, sees the rapper taking a different approach, instead emphasising his lyrical skills and creating a more atmospheric environment.

Now we have the music video to go with it, and together, the song and video act as a platform to advocate for mental health awareness and to help understand what those suffering are feeling. Tasman Keith cleverly explores the commonality of mental health victims while pointing out each case is unique, as he “dips in between speaking from personal experience and taking the experience of others.” He then poses, “The challenge for the listener is to find where that line is drawn, which parts are my truth and which parts are the truth of others.”

The video flicks between quasi-real environments, showing them from multiple different perspectives. It abstractly portrays vastness, confusion, stillness and isolation, encompassing different peoples’ experience of mental illness.

Tasman ties his emotive voice and hard hitting delivery with powerful lyrics like “I’ll tell you what’s fucked up, the fact that my young cous thinks being a man is…drugged up.” Although he echoes strength and passion, his voice is cool and calm, creating a Mac Miller-esque sound.

Since breaking in to the independent hip hop scene in 2017 on the back of his debut single “Might Snap”, Tasman has shared the stage with well known artists: A.B Original, Briggs, Birdz and Caiti Baker. “Divided” is his most captivating song to date, with his chilling soulfulness being lifted by fluid piano chords and a simple beat. This is the last clue we will get as to the direction of his debut EP Mission Famous which is set for release on October 26th, so luckily we like what we see so far!

“Divided” is available now. Mission Famous is available October 26th, to pre-order the EP click HERE.

Tasman Keith is currently on tour and will be appearing at Australian Music Week in November. For more details about the tour and to purchase tickets click HERE. You can also find Tasman Keith on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Tasman Keith: Mission Famous Tour

Oct 26: House Party TBA – Bowraville, NSW
Nov 1: The Cambridge – Newcastle, NSW
Nov 7-9: Australian Music Week, Cronulla, NSW
Nov 11: Rad Bar – Wollongong, NSW
Nov 23: Brighton Up Bar – Sydney, NSW